Rapel Valley Wine

Rapel Valley is a vast region within the Central Valley of Chile. It is home to two subregions, the Colchagua Valley to the south and Cachapoal Valley to the north, both very famous in their own right. The Rapel river divides the sections, coursing through the region carrying Andes mountain runoff from the east to the Pacific in the west.

Most Rapel Valley wines are labeled as either Colchagua or Cachapoal Valley, and each also has its own subregions (why be simple?), with the rest often labeled just “Valle Centrale.” Therefore, while it is considered its own encompassing wine region, “Rapel Valley Wine” is not something people often say.

Most of the wines from this part of Chile are red, made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Merlot and Malbec. Though whites are produced in small quantity and tend to be Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay.

I've found Carmeneres to be nearly as reliable as Malbecs in the $10-12 price range, and this is a good red. The aroma suggests earthy and dark fruit, and the main body has notes of tobacco, wood, blackberries, and plums, with a finish that actually re...

Not as surprising as the Sauvignon Blanc, but I like the feel. Sharp on the nose and the finish is bitter, overwhelming the subtler flavors. I hope there's more left at the grocer, because this needs more air than I gave it; I think this is good a find...

Much better than I expected for $10 and a screw cap, fruity and yet earthy at the same time. Cherry cola, blackberry, tobacco, and oak nicely balance out. Rich, full of flavor, what a value for the price. Chile should be very proud of its wines these d...

Chez Panisse Co-Chef David Tanis calls this pork recipe, from his book Heart of the Artichoke , “the pork of your dreams.” We concur. Dried red chiles are rehydrated and puréed into a thick, spicy ... Read more »

Chef Randy Zweiban of Chicago’s Nacional 27 makes this recipe as part of his Cuban Christmas menu, but you should serve it anytime you feel like being adventurous.
What to buy: Dried chile molid... Read more »

Roasted racks of lamb are the ultimate dinner-party dish, with a wow factor that’s easy to achieve since many butchers sell the racks frenched and ready to go. Chef Neal Fraser of Grace and BLD res... Read more »

Rack of lamb, the most elegant cut of lamb available, may be "frenched" (rib ends left on) or have rib ends trimmed off. Either way, it will be delicious-- just be sure not to overcook (not beyond ... Read more »

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Rapel Valley Wines

Glad I let this one sit for awhile. Medium bodied with dark berry fruits, chocolate, earth and chewy tannins with good acidity. Drink now - 88 points - Paul
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Wine review
by
rckr1951

July 2017

There will be 3 Chilean Pinot Noirs at the NWC - 2 are here:The CyT 2012 ... ... at least 2. The 2012 Rapel Valley Carmenere is a good, solid food offering. The 2nd pinot is the highly hyped Terra Noble 2013 El Algarrobo Vineyard Reserva bottling - no personal knowledge - bought on advice from friends that live across the street and have bee...
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This was my second bargain pickup from a supermarket in Cabo during my vacation, it cost me 79 pesos all in, which made it about a $4.30 US wine inclusive of tax. Actually, that price was because it was on a half-off sale at WalMart. Frankly, this wine was stunningly good for the price - a smooth, fruit forward but fairly complex and intense w...
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Floral and fresh on the nose with zesty spice and ripe red fruit notes of cherry, strawberry and raspberry along with a touch of cream. This is expansive on the palate with generous strawberry and cherry fruit preserves that border on the richness of pie filling before sloping off towards earthy oak spice, cappuccino and chocolate notes.
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Breezy and light on the nose, with the slightest touch of a green note but raspberry, red currant and cherry fruit taking the lead. Quite light and cheerful on the palate, this brings candied cherry and mixed berry fruit, bright acidity and an earthy finish of dark chocolate.
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